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21 [185] DIARY OF FRANCIS TAYLOR, 1791, 1791, December, 21, I went with my father to J.Taylor's to dinner, Abner and James Gaines were there- moderate weather. I carried 3 3/4 yds Flannel to Capt Burnley's in the morning to have 2 Jackets made by Mrs Burnley who says she cannot make them before Christmas. 22, I rode to Doolin's who had not altered a pair of Breeches left with him. I returned to dinner. Cold. 23, My father rode to Wm Taylor's- I rode to C't house. Sundry articles were at Mr Shepherd's which were sent from Mess'rs Blairs for G.Taylor & C.Taylor- I repaid A Shepherd 6/- which he had pd for bringing the goods- My father repaid me & C.Taylor paid 1/3 for his proportion. G.C.Taylor got home to Dinner from his trip to Caroline- G.T. & I both got home about noon- William Taylor came here at night, paid my father 45/- for 9 months interest of his bond. [There were a number of William Taylors. This was Wm.T., formerly a merchant at Fredericksburg. He bought "Ararat" from Hubbard Taylor Dec.7, 1789, when H.T. moved to Ky. and changed the name to "Red Plains." WKA] 24, Wm Taylor went away before breakfast. C.Taylor came here to Breakfast & Divided a p's Oznaburgs sent from Blairs for him & G.Taylor- 108 Ells- about 68 yards each. C.Taylor & G.C.Taylor went to Court house & E.Taylor's- Sent Frank to Uncle Taylor's for Vinegar which he went again in the evening for & got about 4 Gallons- I sent a small pocket bottle of Wine for a sick Negro of John Taylor's at Uncle Taylor's- G.C.Taylor after he ret'd, went and dined at J.Taylor's. Jas Bell called here & went also to J.Taylor's 25, J.Taylor sent for us to dinner- J.Pendleton and family & T.Barbour & do and Mr Snodgrass there. Weather mild. Lent G.C.Taylor a Guinea & 2 Dollars 40/- 26, Went to Court, the weather fine & a good many there. G.C.Taylor offered a negro woman and child for sale & Wm Leathers talked (if he liked them) of giving £60- G.C.Taylor proceeded from Court to *Castle Hill. We came home in evening. My father dined at Uncle Taylor's- [*"Castle Hill" the home of Dr.Thomas Walker, in Albemarle County. Dr.Walker was one of the earliest explorers, of Kentucky (1750). Colby Chew, nephew of Col.George Taylor was with Dr.Walker's expedition-PFT] 27, Mild weather, thin clouds- My father & I staid at home & saw no white person (except the Overseer) 28, J.Taylor sent for us to dinner - Uncle & Aunt Taylor, Reu Taylor & wife, C.Taylor & family- Maj'r A Barbour & family-J.Pendleton & T.Barbour & familys, Mr T.Bell, John Buckner, Col T.Barbour's children & Mr Snodgrass were there- Mr. Snodgrass said he intended to set out on his way to Pennsylvania tomorrow- One of the Oxen was killed- Two Quarters of it sent to Thomas Doolin weighed about 250 lbs. 29, My father rode before breakfast to Doolin's to know if he would hire Sary of G.C.Taylor, but he did not. A Company went to day to Col.L Taliaferro's- fine mild weather- 30, My father sent Syl for G.C.Taylor to see about the disposal of his negroes-he came in the evening- J.Taylor, C.Taylor, Reu Taylor, Maj'r Moore & J.Pendleton dined here- The weather cloudy, smoky & warm. T.Barbour jr came by here in the morning on his way to Fredericksburg & borrowed my saddle bags- 31, Rained a little last night-cleared up fine & warm in the morning but clouded again about noon and rained lightly all night & continued warm. Mr T.Bell came here and purchased of G.C.Taylor his negro woman, Judy and child Tabitha for £50. My father sent for Jas Taylor & J.Pendleton, who came and dined here and went back about 9 o'clock at night. From the TAYLOR DIARY, #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.